ACM Tempo | Fall 2021

TEMPO ACM

FALL 2021

Q&A

WITH

ACM New Male Artist of the Year JIMMIE ALLEN

+

Old Dominion’s MATTHEW RAMSEY

CARLY PEARCE Amps Up for 14TH Annual ACM Honors Hosting Gig

PARTY FOR A CAUSE ROCKS NASHVILLE AUG 24 + ACM HONORS AT RYMAN AUDITORIUM AUG 25

Contents

8 | MAKING MOVES Learn more about the hard-working ACM staffers who were recently promoted

10 | ACM HONORS SET FOR AUGUST 25 Rascal Flatts, Loretta Lynn and more Special Award honorees to be celebrated

14 | PARTY FOR A CAUSE® For the first time ever, Party for a Cause lands in Music City

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CEO Note

8

ACM News

16

Let’s Lift Lives

40

In Memory

42

ACM Moment

Cover Story Learn more about first-time ACM Honors™ host and two-time ACM® Award winner, CARLY PEARCE

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PAGE 20

26 | SPECIAL AWARDS HONOREES The Academy of Country Music® is proud to recognize a distinguished group of individuals who have paved the way in the Country Music industry

32 | VALUABLE VOICES ACM® New Male Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen discusses new music and his first ever children’s book

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36 | MUSICAL CONNECTION Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey sheds light on how the band stayed connected throughout the pandemic

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ACM

TEMPO

FRO M TH E CEO

E ditor

Dear Valued ACM Members, The Academy could not be more excited to bring back one of the industry’s favorite nights, ACM Honors™, to the historic Ryman Auditorium. This is a truly special night to bring our industry together to honor the amazing talents and contributions of our live music and recorded music industries by recognizing winners of our Industry Awards, Studio Recording Awards, Songwriter of the Year Award and, of course, our Special Awards Honorees.

When I started as the Academy CEO in 2020, I was looking forward to the planning of this unique show. However, the pandemic had other plans for us, and unfortunately this was one of those casualties that required cancelation. We were fortunate enough to still put on our two ACM Awards® shows, which I am incredibly proud of, but I am now thrilled to be able to finally give these winners and honorees their chance to be recognized after an incredibly challenging year and a half. This will be our 14th Annual ACM Honors show, but this one promises to be our biggest and best one yet. We have an incredible lineup of performers and presenters to pay tribute to this night, and we are so pleased to have two-time ACM Award winner, Carly Pearce, as our host for the first time.

There will be even more firsts this year as we just announced our first-ever ACM Party for a Cause® to be held in Nashville on August 24 at Ascend Amphitheater. This fun, music-filled concert event has been held for years in Las Vegas before the ACM Awards show, but in celebration of the extraordinary contributions that ACM Lifting Lives® made to the Country Music community through the pandemic, we decided to bring the event to Music City. This also will be one of our biggest and best Party for a Cause events, featuring 10 superstar artists all performing to raise money for the continued mission of ACM Lifting Lives, which is to improve lives through the power of music. Hosted by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren on the night before ACM Honors, this will be the perfect kick-off to this two-night ACM takeover of downtown Nashville.

In addition to our events, we have a lot of valuable Member activities getting ready to launch this fall based on feedback from the recent ACM Member survey. We plan to continue to support and grow this great industry where it’s most needed through the Academy of Country Music® and ACM Lifting Lives industry activities. Please be on the lookout for the Membership renewal window beginning this September so you can take advantage of all the great benefits — ­ including voting on the 2022 ACM Awards. Thank you for your continued support and involvement with the Academy of Country Music.

Lisa Lee A ssistant E ditor

Libby Gardner C ontributors

Hannah Kellis, Craig Shelburne D esign

Randi Karabin, Karabin Creative P rinting

Graphic Visions Commerical Printing P hotos

ACM, Allister Ann, CBS, Getty Images, Keith Griner, RaeLynn ACADEMY STAFF CEO

Damon Whiteside E xecutive D irector/ACM L ifting L ives

Lyndsay Cruz

S enior Vice P resident/ E ditorial & C ontent C uration

Lisa Lee

Vice P resident/Finance & O perations

Alexa Fasheh

Vice P resident/Strategic Partnerships

Jen Heaton

Vice P resident/ D igital Strategy & E ngagement

Rory Levine

Vice P resident/ A rtist & I ndustry R elations , B oard A dministration & G overnance

Tommy Moore

D irector/C reative & C ontent

Brandon Campbell

S enior M anager/M arketing

Melissa Moldovan

M anager/M arketing

Bridget Cirone

M anager/M arketing

Jessica Curtis

M anager/Events

Lanni Gagnon

M anager/C reative & C ontent

Libby Gardner

M anager/Awards & M embership

Haley Montgomery

M anager/Finance & O perations

Mary Pambukyan

M anager/A rtist & I ndustry R elations , B oard A dministration & G overnance

Maddy Stessman

M anager/L ifting L ives

Taylor Wolf

C oordinator/Strategic Partnerships

Jenny Dunn

E xecutive A ssistant to the CEO

With appreciation,

David Sassano

A ssistant/C reative & C ontent

Hannah Kellis

Damon Whiteside Chief Executive Officer

A ssistant/M arketing

Dayna Poskanzer

I ntern/Events & O perations

Alexis Bingham

I ntern/M arketing

Carrie McDonough

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THE BRAND NEW SONG FROM TWO OF COUNTRY MUSIC’S

BIGGEST SUPERSTARS!

HIS HIGHEST BILLBOARD DEBUT SINCE 2014!

IMPACTING NOW WRITTEN BY: JOHN MORGAN, TULLY KENNEDY, KURT ALLISON, LYDIA VAUGHAN

N E WS

Jen Heaton Named Vice President, Strategic Partnerships

J

en Heaton, a California native, joined the Academy of Country Music® in 2017, most recently serving as Director, Strategic Partnerships, and now elevated to Vice President.

In her time at the Academy, Heaton grew existing partnerships and continues to expand the Academy’s footprint with corporate partners.

Recent endeavors for Heaton include renewing partnerships with Ford, 1000 Stories Wine and Dr Pepper, in addition to creating new relationships with brands such as Crown Royal, T-Mobile and AT&T. Heaton’s efforts in 2020 focused on supporting fundraising for the ACM Lifting Lives® COVID-19 Response Fund and collaborating to launch a national vaccine PSA campaign

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with the Ad Council. Prior to her time at ACM, Heaton worked with Arizona Diamondbacks in both sales and corporate partnerships, where she oversaw contracts and executed activations with the team.

Heaton graduated from University of Arizona where she studied communications and business. Heaton currently resides in California with her husband and their new addition, Zoe. In her role as Vice President, Heaton will continue to plan and execute the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives partners programs — including identifying, cultivating and developing new sponsors across industries and developing a multi-year partnership strategy. She reports to Damon Whiteside, CEO.

BRANDON CAMPELL NAMED DIRECTOR, CREATIVE & CONTENT Atlanta-born and Tennessee-raised, Brandon Campbell first joined the Academy in 2015, most recently serving as Senior Video Manager, Creative & Content. Campbell graduated from Middle Tennessee State University where he studied Electronic Media Communications with a focus on single-camera production. Prior to joining the Academy, Campbell spent six years freelancing in Nashville on various awards shows and joined Hunter Hayes' team as a full-time videographer for three years. During his time at the Academy, Campbell has contributed to media campaigns for the Academy and its partners CBS and dick clark productions to promote the ACM Awards®, ACM Honors™ and ACM Lifting Lives®, among other Academy initiatives. In his role as Director, Creative & Content, Campbell will tap into his extensive video production experience, overseeing creative strategy, development and content production, heavily supporting marketing and partnership initiatives with original content, as well as collaborating with digital strategy & engagement to develop cutting-edge social-native content. Campbell reports to Damon Whiteside, CEO.

BRIDGET CIRONE NAMED MANAGER, MARKETING

Libby Gardner Named Manager, Creative & Content

B

orn in Kokomo, Ind., and raised in both Shelby Township, Mich., and Allentown, Pa., Libby Gardner first joined the Academy full-time in 2019 as Coordinator, Creative & Content.

Gardner attended Syracuse University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Television, Radio and Film. During her time at Syracuse, Gardner interned at the Academy in the creative department and, following her graduation in 2018, continued working for the Academy as a freelance field producer. Gardner has also worked as a production assistant on numerous television shows, ranging from an Investigation Discovery true crime series to the talk show, “The Doctors.” In her role as manager, Gardner oversees the day-to-day management of the Academy’s website properties, photo archives and A-List email blasts, and serves as assistant editor of ACM Tempo®. Gardner also acts as a field producer for the Academy’s in-house video content and supervises both the digital and print creative content distributed by the Academy. Gardner reports to Brandon Campbell, Director, Creative & Content.

Chicago-born and Las Vegas-raised, Bridget Cirone first joined the Academy of Country Music® in 2018, as Assistant for both the Marketing and Creative & Content departments, most recently serving as Coordinator, Marketing.

Cirone graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., where she studied public relations and digital media and worked for both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WISN 12 News and Marquette Basketball.

After graduating, Cirone moved back to Las Vegas where she worked at Wicked Creative, an entertainment, hospitality and lifestyle public relations firm. Cirone was a volunteer for the ACM Awards® and ACM Party for a Cause® events in 2017 prior to her hire in 2018. In her time at the ACM, Cirone supported all publicity and marketing initiatives for the Academy and ACM Lifting Lives®, including overseeing red carpet media, press materials and more.

As Manager, Cirone will add digital publicity initiatives as well as company publicity and communications. She reports to Melissa Moldovan, Senior Manager, Marketing.

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HAPPE N I N GS

T

he 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors™, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards

from the 55th ACM Awards and 56th ACM Awards, is set for Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Two-time ACM® Award winner Carly Pearce will host the night. Additionally, artists Lauren Alaina, Devin Dawson, Jessie Jo Dillon, Sara Evans, Nicolle Galyon, HARDY, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Lady A, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, RaeLynn, Jordan Reynolds, Keith Urban, Laura Veltz, Sam Williams and Lee Ann Womack are confirmed to perform. Chris Janson will present the ACM Industry Awards and Studio

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Those being recognized in the Studio Recording and Industry Awards (voted on by the Board of Directors) include:

56 TH ACM AWARDS

2020 STUDIO RECORDING AWARD WINNERS BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tony Lucido DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Aaron Sterling

Recording Awards for the evening. City

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

of the evening. Other partners include

PERFORMERS INCLUDE:

1000 Stories Wine, Vera Bradley, and

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Prevost. The show will be livestreamed

Top row: Jessie Jo Dillon; Chris Janson; Sara Evans; HARDY; Nicolle Galyon

National Bank is the presenting partner

on Circle Network’s social channel.

Circle Network also will air a television special around the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at a later date this year.

Turn to page 26 to learn more about the special honorees.

Middle row: Jordan Reynolds; Ashley McBryde; Sam Williams; RaeLynn; Laura Veltz; Lady A Bottom row: Jamey Johnson; Lauren Alaina; Devin Dawson; Keith Urban; Toby Keith; Lee Ann Womack

J.T. Corenflos (Awarded Posthumously) PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dave Cohen SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Ilya Toshinskiy STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dan Dugmore & Mike Johnson *TIE IN CATEGORY* AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

F. Reid Shippen PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Jay Joyce

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HAPPE N I N GS

55TH ACM AWARDS

2021 ACM Honors Hosted by

C AR LY PE ARCE

2019 STUDIO RECORDING AWARD WINNERS BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jimmie Lee Sloas DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Miles McPherson GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Read more about Carly's success on page 20.

Rob McNelley PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Gordon Mote

*INDUSTRY AWARDS NOT GIVEN IN 2020 DUE TO PANDEMIC *PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS:

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jenee Fleenor STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Paul Franklin

55TH ACM AWARDS

2019 INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS CASINO OF THE YEAR – THEATER

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

Justin Niebank PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

busbee (Awarded Posthumously)

The Joint: Tulsa – Tulsa, Okla.

CASINO OF THE YEAR – ARENA

MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, Nev. FAIR/RODEO OF THE YEAR

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – Houston, Texas FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

Tortuga Music Festival – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. CLUB OF THE YEAR

Joe’s Live – Rosemont, Ill. THEATER OF THE YEAR

The Beacon Theatre – New York, N.Y. OUTDOOR VENUE OF THE YEAR

Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, Colo.

ARENA OF THE YEAR

Madison Square Garden – New York, N.Y. DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR

Gil Cunningham – Neste Live!

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Brian O’Connell – Live Nation

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Tickets for this special night are available at TI C K E TM A S TE R .CO M PRE SE NTE D BY

HAPPE N I N GS

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DE

US

IC ®

ACA

M

M

F COUNTR O Y Y

TU E SDAY, AU GUS T 24 , 2021

Clockwise from top left: Brett Eldredge; Lee Brice; Mickey Guyton; Tenille Townes, Old Dominion; Sam Hunt; Trisha Yearwood; Keith Urban

I

t’s back! ACM Party for a Cause® benefiting ACM Lifting Lives® returns, for the first time ever in Nashville. SiriusXM’s “The Highway” host, Storme Warren, will host this live event, with performances by Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and special guests, Tenille Townes, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood and more to be announced.

Party for a Cause will take over the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, for this exciting evening of all-star live performances.

Partners for the evening include Prevost, Vera Bradley and 1000 Stories Wine.

Tickets for the evening are available now at TICKETMASTER.COM Get yours before they sell out!

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LE T ’ S LI F T LIVE S

GARAGE-FULL OF AWESOME GIVEAWAY

B

rantly Gilbert is teaming up with Polaris and Camping World to offer fans the adventure of a lifetime! Fans can enter for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to meet Gilbert for an unforgettable trail-riding experience. Additionally, those who enter have the chance to win a RZR Trail S 1000 Ultimate in Ghost Gray (courtesy of Polaris), a 2021 Heartland Fuel 362 (courtesy of Camping World) and $5,000 cash. To enter, fans can donate $10 or more to ACM Lifting Lives® — donating more can get you extra entries and more rewards! The giveaway is open until October 3, 2021. Don’t miss your chance to hang with Brantley Gilbert!

Ole Red Regular RaeLynn, a two-time ACM Award® nominee, took on a six-week summer residence in Nashville with RaeLynn’s Downtown Party Live From Ole Red. Residency shows on May 24, June 2 and

Donate now at prizeo.com and use PROMO CODE: TEMPO200 to receive 200 BONUS ENTRIES when you make a donation.

June 9 benefited the ACM Lifting Lives® COVID-19 Response Fund and the remaining three supported the CMA Foundation.

All the money raised from the respective ACM shows went directly to the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, supporting those in the Country Music community with financial struggles caused by the pandemic. The full-band shows ran weekly from May 26 to July 7, with special guests from the female-led singersongwriter collective, the Song Suffragettes. Catch a video recap of the residence on the Academy’s YouTube page, youtube.com/ACMcountry.

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LE T ’ S LI F T LIVE S

CAMEO GOES COUNTRY ACM Lifting Lives® partnered with Cameo, the marketplace leader for personalized videos and fan interactions, to offer fans the chance

3.6 MILLION

to interact with their favorite Country stars.

This summer, fans could book personalized messages and purchase virtual meet-andgreet tickets from more than 25 of Country Music’s biggest names. Carrie Underwood,

The ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund is still open and accepting applications from those in the

Chrissy Metz, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina,

Country Music community who qualify

Mickey Guyton, Tyler Hubbard and more

for assistance. To date, the fund has

kicked off the event, with all artists donating

gifted over $3.6 million.

100% of their proceeds to ACM Lifting Lives ongoing efforts to support the Country Music community. Dedicated to ACM Lifting Lives' goal of IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC™, the charitable campaign continued adding exclusive offers from new artists throughout the summer months until mid-July.

Follow ACM Lifting Lives on Instagram @acmliftinglives

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VISIT ACMLIFTINGLIVES.ORG/ COVID-19-RELIEF FOR MORE INFORMATION.

R E M E M B E R

H E R

ALBUM AVAILABLE

S E P T E M B E R

N A M E

2 4 acmcountry.com

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Country Music purist Carly Pearce is taking 2021 by storm

Pearce’s

PRECIOUS

BY LIBBY GARDNER

Moments

C

arly Pearce pierces into the Country Music world, making her mark on the industry with purity and vulnerability in her music, recalling her precious moments of this past year, and the exciting events ahead — including her first Academy of Country Music Honors™ hosting gig.

Pearce, the two-time ACM® Award winner, has had a year for the books, and it’s not stopping now. With the successful release of her EP 29 in February, two ACM Awards® for “I Hope You’re Happy Now” in April, now being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, and releasing more music and going on tour, Pearce is not only looking forward to the rest of 2021 but also remaining focused.

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Clockwise from top left: Lee Brice and Pearce perform at the 56th ACM Awards; Pearce on the red carpet of the 54th ACM Awards; Brice and Pearce accept the award for Single of the Year at the 56th ACM Awards

“I think during all of this time [the past year], I really just put my head down and focused on the music. And I’m seeing the good that is coming from that. I am just so blown away that these things are happening to me in this way … There’s just gonna be a lot more music coming, I’ve been working really hard on more music, and obviously the Grand Ole Opry is just as much of a lifelong dream as being an ACM Award winner. So, I think just those precious moments that so many people dream of and don’t get to see come to life, I’m really going to soak those in.”

Pearce, still humble, is continuing to stay true to her roots and credits her success in the industry to what she calls being a “Country Music purist.”

“I’m a Country Music purist, and I think there’s nothing wrong with what anybody else, you know, what their aspirations are, but I think for me, that kind of sets me apart. I have no aspiration to kind of collaborate or do anything outside of the genre. This is truly the genre of music that I grew up wanting to be a part of, and I think the community recognizes that and I think fans do. Also, I just have really been 1000% honest and vulnerable and written of a place of, maybe not so pretty parts, and bared my soul, and I think fans relate to that because it’s honest and they can tell that there’s no filter over what I’m doing.”

Pearce hopes her fans are ready because she has more to give and reveal with her new album 29: Written in Stone set to be released in September, an album with largely Kentucky roots.

“The 29 EP just really opened a door for me, after losing busbee, and after just kind of going on this musical quest to get back to the roots of who I am. I just — the music just kept coming and coming and I feel like it became this really coming of age for me and just coming of a woman and so many things in my life that were hard brought me to a place of peace. So, I just kept writing and writing, and this music is so representative of just the

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roots of Kentucky. We went back to Kentucky and shot all of the images, and there’s some collaborations that really reflect where I found my love of Country Music.

I’m just really excited for people to hear the second part of this project.”

After “buckling down” and really focusing her energy inward these past couple of months on her songwriting, Pearce is more than ready to hit the stage again and to just be able to express gratitude and love to her fans.

“So many things happened to me during quarantine that I didn’t get to thank fans. I didn’t get to have that moment of every night, being able to look them in the eye and tell them, ‘Thank you.’ Being able to have that experience with them now and let them really understand that they changed my whole world, and it was a time where I needed it, so badly. I’m just looking forward to seeing their faces.”

And even amidst her jam-packed year, Pearce has found time to host the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors, set for August 25 at Ryman Auditorium, a show that has always held a special place in her heart. With many award recognitions and performances in store for the show, Pearce is excited to

Staying

SOCIAL carlypearce

carlypearce I’ve realized

over the last few weeks that I wasn’t entirely finished writing my 29 chapter.

carlypearce I’ve worked & waited my whole life for that moment right there. What a dream last night was 💜

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carlypearce I got a

double surprise today when my 2 @acmawards arrived 😍😍😍 WHAT A WEEK!!!!

carlypearce Happy 4th y’all 🇺🇸 [@alexa_campbell]

carlypearce Swipe right for all the fun at @fasterhorsesfestival yesterday [@alexa_campbell] 💜

Follow Carly on instagram at @carlypearce

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honor some of the talented artists and people behind the scenes of the Country Music industry.

“Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Toby Keith, Lady A, Loretta Lynn and Rascal Flatts are all artists that inspire me, that have had success with me, are my friends and shaped me into the artist I am today. I love the variety of honorees, and I think each of them brings something so special to our genre.”

2019 and 2020 Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Hillary Lindsey, who has written so many big hits, including some of Pearce’s own like “Closer to You” and “Hide the Wine,” is also set to be honored.

“Hillary is a force. I think the way she writes a melody and phrases, it is next to none. She truly has a ‘sound’ as a songwriter, which I think sets her apart. I can always tell when I’m listening through pitches that something is a Hillary song!”

And with performances set from Lauren Alaina, Devin Dawson, Sara Evans, HARDY, Chris Janson, Lady A, Ashley McBryde, RaeLynn and Lee Ann Womack, Pearce has one she is really looking forward to hearing.

“I am excited to see all of the performers, but I am most excited to hear Lee Ann Womack. She is the epitome of a Country vocalist and is one of my biggest influences!”

Pearce is also just thrilled to show off more than just her musical talents.

“Hosting is something that’s really a passion of mine and so I think to have the Academy of Country Music … they’ve made so many of my dreams come true in the last year. To know that they trust me to do that I think is a really big honor and gives me an opportunity to show people what I got!” ●

ACM HONORS

Special Award Honorees

T

he Academy of Country Music® is proud to once again recognize a distinguished group of individuals who have paved the way in the

Country Music industry. Dan + Shay, Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Rascal Flatts and more are among the recipients to be celebrated at the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors™ at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, August 25, presented by City National Bank. This special evening will also honor winners of the 55th ACM Industry Awards and 55th & 56th ACM Studio Recording Awards, along with previously announced 55th and 56th ACM Songwriter of the Year winner, Hillary Lindsey. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Industry Awards were not given out during the 56th ACM Awards cycle.

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ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award Joe Galante and Rascal Flatts have been chosen to receive the ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.

JOE GALANTE Joe Galante elevated Country Music’s visibility over nearly four decades, beginning in the 1970s when he joined RCA Nashville. In the 1980s as the head of the label, he implemented exceptional marketing campaigns, increased promotional budgets and, perhaps most importantly, signed artists who stood out. As a result, the label dominated the decade by introducing stars like Alabama, Clint Black, The Judds, K.T. Oslin and Keith Whitley. In the ’90s, the label group under his leadership guided Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride to multi-platinum success.

When RCA and Arista merged, the roster expanded to include Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley.

Under his continued leadership, RCA Label Group evolved to Sony Music Nashville, launching the career of Carrie Underwood and furthering that of Miranda Lambert. Galante concluded his label career in 2010 as chairman of Sony Music Nashville, but has remained deeply embedded in the music community, perhaps most notably in his many philanthropic endeavors (as chair of the CMA Foundation, in his support of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and by creating an endowment for Leadership Music, where he is a member of the Founding Council). He is receiving the ACM Icon Award for his many contributions and successes in the Country Music community.

RASCAL FLATTS Rascal Flatts has picked up seven consecutive ACM Awards® (2002–2008) for Vocal Group of the Year, the only band to earn that distinction. Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney were playing gigs in Nashville’s Printer’s Alley prior to breakout hits like “Praying for Daylight” and “I’m Movin’ On,” the 2002 ACM Song of the Year. Singles such as “What Hurts the Most” and “Life Is a Highway” crossed over to pop radio and they accepted an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2011. Rascal Flatts celebrated their farewell with TWENTY YEARS OF RASCAL FLATTS: THE GREATEST HITS in 2020 as well as a sentimental radio hit together with the reflective “How They Remember You.” Known as one of the hottest-selling touring acts in any genre, the trio has sold over 11 million concert tickets and had eight studio albums debut at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart.

ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award Lady A and Ross Copperman have been chosen to receive the ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award.

This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others, voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives® Board of Directors.

LADY A Lady A has a history of consistently participating in ACM Lifting Lives events and fundraisers, at times even assuming hosting duties. The group made a longlasting impression at the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp in 2019. Campers collaborated with the band, Ross Copperman and Joy Williams to write an original song, “The Way You Love,” based on their own experiences and inspirations.

The camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through

performance and education. Hillary Scott was a returning Music Camp guest. A three-time ACM Vocal Group of the Year, Lady A joined the Grand Ole Opry in January and recently announced a return to the road with their “What A Song Can Do” Tour. Over the course of their decade-plus career, Lady A has become one of the 21st century’s premier vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic Country sounds. The multi-platinum band has ushered in more than 18 million album units, 34 million tracks sold, nearly 5 billion digital streams and 11 No. 1 hits. The trio earned the biggest first week streams of their career with their critically acclaimed No. 1 album OCEAN and is known for their 9X platinum hit “Need You Now,” which is the highest certified song by a Country group. Lady A has earned CMA “Vocal Group of the Year” trophies three years in a row and were recently inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry. Additionally, Hillary Scott was recently honored as one of 31 women leaders from diverse industries for Dress for Success’ “Your Hour, Her Power” campaign. The trio’s newly formed LadyAID Scholarship Fund supports students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They made their long-awaited return to the road with the LADY A: WHAT A SONG CAN DO TOUR, which launched July 29 in Uncasville, Conn., with special guests Carly Pearce, Niko Moon and Tenille Arts. A portion of the ticket sales will go towards LadyAID, the group’s philanthropic fund which supports initiatives around the world ranging from helping vulnerable children, societal and cultural issues, as well as natural disaster aid and recovery. For more information visit ladyamusic.com.

ROSS COPPERMAN Ross Copperman is one of Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters and producers, and this year among years previously, he shared his talent with campers during the 12th Annual ACM Lifting Lives® Music Camp with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Along with J.T. Harding and HARDY, Copperman and the campers composed the original song, “Happiness.” Copperman first participated in Music Camp in 2013 and has been involved every year since.

Copperman’s newest No. 1 writing credits include Darius Rucker’s “Beers and Sunshine” and Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s “Happy Anywhere” and “Nobody But You.” He recently returned to his artist roots with the release of a five-song Southern pop EP, Somewhere There’s A Light On. Copperman was elected to serve on the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors in 2016 and has been serving since.

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ACM Jim Reeves International Award ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award Luke Combs has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of Country Music during the preceding calendar year.

LUKE COMBS Luke Combs is one of very few artists to claim a double-platinum album in 2021. What You See Is What You Get achieved that distinction on the strength of five No. 1 hits: “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “Even Though I’m Leaving,” “Does to Me” “Lovin’ on You” and “Better Together.”

Combs is the only Country artist ever to carry his first 10 singles to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart — a feat that has earned him the ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award. After being chosen for the ACM Milestone Award, Combs recently charted another No.1 hit: “Forever After All”.

It’s the sixth chart topper from the album What You See Is What You Get and his 11th overall.

Dan + Shay has been chosen to receive the ACM Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an artist or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of Country Music throughout the world.

DAN + SHAY Dan + Shay, the reigning ACM Duo of the Year, have reached the status of arena headliners with a winning blend of romantic songwriting, emotional delivery and a strong bond of friendship. With over 7.6 billion global career streams, they broadened their audience with a sold-out 2019 UK tour and a sold-out Australian takeover with superstar Shawn Mendes, performing impassioned songs like 6X Platinum smash hit “Tequila,” which has surpassed 1.2 billion global streams. They built that international following through UK tour stops in 2016 and 2017. 4X Platinum phenomenon “10,000 Hours,” their outstanding collaboration with Justin Bieber, has over 1.6 billion global streams and has been certified 4X Platinum in Canada, 3X Platinum in Australia, Platinum in Netherlands, and Gold in Brazil, Ireland, Sweden and New Zealand. It was featured on 39 out of 40 Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlists upon release and was the cover of all 115 Apple Music “New Music Daily” playlists. Incredibly, it reached No. 1 on Australia’s Top 100 Radiomonitors All Plays airplay chart, as well as China’s Netease and No. 2 on QQ Music. Dan + Shay’s self-titled third studio album reached No. 3 in U.S., Australia and Canada, No. 8 in Finland, No. 13 in Indonesia and UK and No. 14 in Ireland on the iTunes All-Genre charts, also reaching the top of the iTunes Country chart in Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK and the United States, spreading Country Music around the globe and earning them the ACM Jim Reeves International Award.

ACM Mae Boren Axton Service Award RAC Clark has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Mae Boren Axton Service Award. This award is presented to an outstanding Country Music artist, duo/group or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.

Visit acmcountry.com/honors for more information. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.

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RAC CLARK RAC Clark, the president and Emmy-nominated executive producer of Lion’s Heart Entertainment, has produced the ACM Awards since 1999. Under his tenure, the show moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Dallas for the 50th anniversary,

where it set a Guinness world record for the highest attendance at an awards show broadcast with 70,252 attendees at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on April 19, 2015.

Clark has also produced the awards show in Nashville for the past two years, emerging as a visually stunning showcase for Country Music. The oldest child of American Bandstand host Dick Clark, RAC was in his 20s when he started producing music-related series such as Puttin’ on the Hits. In the decades that followed, he cultivated a reputation as among the most sought-after producers of live music programming in television, with more than 1,000 hours of live event broadcasts to his credit. Clark has worked on multiple network broadcasts for the Academy of Country Music including a series of all-star ACM Presents specials. He also produced 165 episodes of “Prime Time Country” for The Nashville Network. His projects have included GRAMMY specials, GRAMMY and Oscar Red Carpets, Miss Universe & Miss USA Pageants, the 2013 and 2021 Presidential Inauguration Committee and the Muscular Dystrophy Association telecast. In 2019, Clark served the Academy of Country Music as interim executive director. His Lion’s Heart Entertainment is based in Southern California.

ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award Toby Keith has been chosen for the ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award. This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of Country legend and 20-time ACM Award winner Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs, and epitomizing Merle’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.

TOBY KEITH A 20-time ACM Award-winner, Toby Keith is still taking charge of his incredible career with sold-out concerts, an arsenal of hits and a swagger that has endeared him to millions of fans. He proudly revealed his true colors and spirit as both artist and songwriter with anthems like “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).” After an impressive run at Country radio that began in the ’90s, he continues to be one of the most successful self-directed creators in music history as an artist, songwriter, singer, musician and producer. Keith has written the vast majority of his 32 No. 1 hits and has had a chart-topping single every year for 20 consecutive years.

Keith was Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. He also received the ACM Poet’s award for his songwriting body of work in 2016. He received the National Medal of the Arts in 2021.

ACM Poet’s Award Loretta Lynn, Gretchen Peters and Curly Putman (posthumously) have been chosen as recipients of the ACM Poet’s Award. This award is presented to a Country Music songwriter for outstanding and long-standing musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of Country Music.

LORETTA LYNN Loretta Lynn stands as one of the most dynamic and direct songwriters in Country Music history.

Her body of work has contributed countless classics that have made an indelible mark on Country Music and has inspired generations of female artists to follow her amazing example. Early originals like “You Ain’t Woman Enough” and “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” both released in 1966, are undisputed classics.

Her catalog also offers chart-topping hits like “Fist City,” “Rated X” and, of course, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Her numerous ACM wins include Entertainer of the Year in 1975 and Artist of the Decade in 1979. A groundbreaking singer, songwriter and performer, Lynn is an archetype of American music, a singular artist whose music defined a genre and whose songs continue to inform new generations of musicians.

GRETCHEN PETERS Gretchen Peters gained Nashville’s attention in the 1990s with eloquent and emotional compositions like Patty Loveless’ “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” (an ACM Song of the Year nominee) and George Strait’s “Chill of an Early Fall.” Early in her career, Martina McBride achieved signature hits with Peters’ “My Baby Loves Me” and “Independence Day.” The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has also landed singles with Faith Hill, Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood.

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CURLY PUTMAN Curly Putman composed numerous enduring classics in the country canon, including Dolly Parton’s “Dumb Blonde,” Porter Wagoner’s “Green Green Grass of Home,” also recorded by pop icon Tom Jones and turned into an international hit, recorded in several languages, as well as George Jones’ signature hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

The latter title, written with Bobby Braddock, was named 1980 ACM Single and Song of the Year. Tammy Wynette recorded Putman’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” (also written with Braddock) and “My Elusive Dreams” (written with Billy Sherrill). Putman was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976.

ACM Tex Ritter Film Award Ken Burns’s “Country Music” has been chosen to receive the ACM Tex Ritter Film Award. This award recognizes an outstanding television movie, series or feature film released during the preceding calendar year which prominently features Country Music.

KEN BURNS’S ‘COUNTRY MUSIC’ Ken Burns’s “Country Music” informed and entertained PBS viewers about the rich history of the genre from the artists and historians who know it best. Through new interviews and rarely seen footage spanning 16 hours, the eight-part series vividly conveyed the true roots of the music and the diverse artists who shaped it. Premiering in 2019, the series was directed and produced by Burns, written and produced

by Dayton Duncan and produced by Julie Dunfey.

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acmcountry.com

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THESE HONOREES AT THE 14TH ANNUAL ACM HONORS ON AUGUST 25

ACM Songwriter of the Year Award Hillary Lindsey has been chosen as the recipient of the ACM Songwriter of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a professional panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers and performing rights organization representatives.

HILLARY LINDSEY Hillary Lindsey is one of Nashville’s most respected songwriters and go-to hitmakers. With 27 No. 1 songs under her belt, she has crafted material for artists ranging from Miranda Lambert to Lady Gaga. She won her third GRAMMY in 2020 for co-writing “I’ll Never Love Again” for “ Star Is Born.” Her recent credits include Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes,” Kelsea Ballerini’s “Hole In The Bottle,” HARDY feat. Lauren Alaina & Devin Dawson’s “One Beer,” Mickey Guyton’s “Heaven Down Here” and Luke Bryan’s back-to-back No. 1 singles “What She Wants Tonight” and “Knockin’ Boots.” This is her second consecutive win for ACM Songwriter of the Year, winning the category in both 2019 and 2020. ●

BY LIBBY GARDNER

A

Jimmie Allen, ACM® New Male Artist of the Year, keeps busy with new music, touring and speaking to the next generation with a new children’s book

VOICE in MOTION

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TEMPO: First, to kick it off, I just want to say

TEMPO: Yeah, you got to get it all

congratulations again on your win for ACM New Male Artist of the Year. It’s been a couple months since you won, but how do you feel? Do you feel any different from when you first found out?

JIMMIE: I wouldn’t say I feel any different, I would say that I feel appreciated and noticed. Because for me I feel like when you win an award like that, it’s more about — because it takes a lot of people voting for you to win, you know — it takes people outside your immediate team, outside of your publicist, outside of your management team, your booking agent team and label. You know, it takes other people voting for you.

So, for me, it was more like a nod of approval from the Country Music industry. That’s a huge compliment.

engraved and make it special for you!

JIMMIE: I told them they didn’t have to do that, the engraving thing. I would’ve been great with just taking a Sharpie and writing my name on it. I would’ve been just as happy!

TEMPO: That’s funny. Do you have a

special place for it that you’re going to keep it or are you just kind of going to show it off wherever you go?

JIMMIE: You know, I’m thinking about making a necklace out of it!

TEMPO: Yeah, for sure. I know you received

TEMPO: [laughter] JIMMIE: Nah, I got a spot for it in my

your trophy in the mail recently. How did that feel opening it up?

JIMMIE: It felt great. I got it last week. It felt great to just see it and just hold it. Next time I go to Delaware, I’m taking it so my grandfather can see it. But, yeah, it felt cool to touch it because I remember when I got it at the Ryman, I was like, “Wait, I gotta give it back?”

studio upstairs, keep it like in between the monitors so I can look at it and remember.

Feel like it’s always good to remember. A lot of times you can move on past a lot of pivotal moments and great moments of life and not really appreciate it. So, for me, it’s all about just always remembering.

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Allen’s new children's book, “My Voice Is a Trumpet,” hit book stands on July 13, 2021.

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LOUD and PROUD and sways inEthe and PROUD LOUD and sways in the bree ze.

TEMPO: Is there anything else that you’ve

been up to this summer besides doing your shows?

Do you have any new music coming out?

JIMMIE: Yeah! We’ve got Bettie James Gold Edition, which just came out. That’s an album full of collaborations. My children’s book, “My Voice Is A Trumpet,” you know, that is coming out. It’s about teaching kids to use their voice, to instill confidence in themselves, as well as other people. Because I remember when growing up, I listened to my kindergarten or first-grade teacher read.

A lot of the stories and a lot of the messages in there are ones that I held on to for the rest of my life. And I So like it was something that I wanted to leave to my felt me ha ve a voas well as to the next generation, other than children, sof ice a ta s sma ll as a be swe something e, really proud of because your music.ndIt’s I’m et li ke K I SSE OF HONEY. voice is important, Syou know, and your voice isn’t just the speaking voice that comes out of your mouth, it’s however you communicate. And that’s your voice and I feel like everybody’s voice has value.

TEMPO: I love that! I’m excited to read it.

TEMPO: Yeah, for sure. And I mean, it was also a

weird year, and to be recognized during a year where touring is not going on, there are no shows — I mean, how did that feel? Did you have a strategy of how you were going to keep yourself, kind of, on the market?

JIMMIE: Yeah, you know, it’s more just, for me, anything coming down to doing what makes you happy, no matter what time it is, what’s going on in the world. Always finding a time to stay focused. That’s kind of what I always turn back to, doing what makes you happy, no matter the circumstances, no matter the climate.

TEMPO: Of course. And, you got to perform too at

the show, at The Bluebird, and were surprised with Brad Paisley. How did you feel in that moment?

JIMMIE: It caught me off guard. I wasn’t prepared for that surprise. But it felt cool that he would even take the time to come all the way down there to watch, to be a part of what I was doing. You know, it was a huge compliment to have him a part of that night. I’m glad he did it. I was super nervous when he first came out. It kind of threw me off a little bit.

TEMPO: Now that you’re back on the road,

how does it feel to be doing live shows again?

JIMMIE: Oh, it feels great to be back. We’ve been sitting around for about a year, wanting to come back out and play shows. For me, the playing shows is amazing, but I feel one of the most special parts that people don’t realize is, kind of, just seeing people every day. You know what I mean? For a while, when you’re sitting at home and just seeing your spouse all the time. It’s kind of good to get out and be around some other people, and to play music on top of that is pretty awesome.

Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley performing on the 56th ACM Awards from The Bluebird Cafe.

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Any other summer plans?

JIMMIE: I’m just trying to keep working, creating more music. That’s kind of what I am always trying to do. Find ways to be constantly being moving forward creatively. Because the one thing I never want to do — I’d rather have too many songs and too many ideas than not any at all. I try not to stop the momentum.

I try to just keep moving.

TEMPO: And what keeps you going?

JIMMIE: Never being satisfied. I’m never satisfied, I’ve

always been like that forever. Once I accomplish one thing, I’m grateful, thankful for the opportunity and then I’m like, “OK, what’s next?” Yeah, I’m addicted to the journey. ●

BOATIN’ &FLOATIN’ 36

acmcountry.com

Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey hits on this past win, writing new music and more

BY LIBBY GARDNER

TEMPO: This was the fourth consecutive win for

Old Dominion for ACM® Group of the Year. How did this win feel compared to the previous?

MATTHEW: Yeah, I mean this one was maybe as big a surprise as the first time we won. You know, because the nature of the year everyone had; such a strange year as far as music goes. Not being able to be out on the road, just kind of like to visually see the success that we’re having out on the road, it was just kind of hard. Everyone else in the category had such a big year. It really was kind of up in the air, and we had no idea who was gonna win that one, so it was a big surprise.

TEMPO: It’s great though. I mean four years in a row is

amazing. Do you think there was something you guys did differently during the COVID year to make you stand out a little bit more?

MATTHEW: You know, I don’t know if we did anything different than anyone else other than just the best we could.

We just tried to stay in contact with our fans as much as we could, whether that be on livestreams or putting out new music or old music or whatever we could to just sort of remind people we’re still here. We’re gonna to be back. We’re gonna get through this.

TEMPO: And now you guys are back and starting to get

on the road. You’re releasing new music and have a new single out. First of all, how is it being back on the road and performing in front of live audiences?

MATTHEW: There’s nothing like it. We missed it so much.

Every night it’s emotional. It’s just so good to see that again.

And you can tell that people missed it so badly and need it so badly. It’s an amazing feeling to be back out there.

TEMPO: That’s awesome. During lockdown, were you

guys interacting in person as a band or were you keeping separate and just connecting over Zoom?

MATTHEW: It was tough to get together in the beginning.

We did spend a lot of time apart. But after a while, we sort of

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37

TEMPO: It’s definitely a summer jam

and a feel-good song. It sounds like you have new music coming.

MATTHEW: Yes, well I don’t know when, but it’s sooner than later. We are ready to get it out there. I think we wound up with 12 songs that we wrote and recorded out in Asheville. We are super excited to really show people what we did out there because it’s a really spur of the moment, in the moment type of thing. We’re really proud of it.

TEMPO: Besides this new music,

Clockwise from top left: Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen and Whit Sellers

figured out that we needed to be connected. So that’s when we kind of decided, let’s go out of town. Let’s create a little Old Dominion bubble and make an album together. That’s sort of how we ended up staying together.

TEMPO: Your newest single, “I Was on a Boat That Day,”

is out now. How was that written?

MATTHEW: That was part of that trip. We went to Asheville, N.C., ... well I say to make an album ... but we really don’t know what we were going to do. We were just going out there to try and see what would happen if we spent some time in the studio together and wrote songs and recorded them right there in the same day. And we wound up making a whole album. And that was one of the songs.

We would get up in the morning and sit down and throw out ideas and see what we came up with, and then we would record it that evening. That title was one that we had been throwing around for many, many years, like since we were writing “Break Up With Him” we’ve had that title. It was cool to finally bring it to life a little bit.

anything else you’re looking forward to for the rest of the year?

MATTHEW: I’m just really happy that we have a sort of normal year as far as touring goes. It’s just exciting to see that because, for a while there, we weren’t sure what was going to happen.

To see it coming back the way it is, is so exciting. Right now, I think we are just grateful that we have our jobs back and that we have new music coming. So, we’re feeling really good right now.

TEMPO: You are going to be performing at the

Party for a Cause® event in August in Nashville?

What are you guys looking forward to about that?

MATTHEW: Performing in Nashville — it’s been such a long time since we’ve done that. And just to be a part of it. The fact that we are in the whole ACM world and that conversation, we’re just so grateful. To get to where we are in our career is really unheard of. It’s so hard to even get a break and to be able to sustain it like we have. Being a part of that just really solidifies that in our hearts that we are there. ●

TEMPO: Is that why you chose that song as the

newest single?

MATTHEW: I think we chose it because, you know, we had so much fun making that song. It was just pure joy. And we were laughing and having like a little party in the studio and we just felt like that was the vibe that we wanted to put forth. Especially now, with everybody just trying to come out of whatever we were in there, everybody just needs a little bit of joy. And we just thought this is fun, let’s just have some fun for a little bit.

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acmcountry.com

@olddominionmusic Absolutely magical 20 days in

Asheville NC. We pulled off something special here y’all. You'll hear it and all about it soon enough. Thank you to this amazing team for helping us live an absolute dream. Can’t wait to share it.

TH E ACM LI F TI N G LIVES COVI D -19 RESP O NSE FU N D IS N OW O PEN

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE COUNTRY MUSIC COMMUNITY VISIT ACMLIFTINGLIVES.ORG

“SHANE GOES FOR THE PERSONAL AND RISES ABOVE THE CLUSTER.” – BILLBOARD

64 MILLION TOTAL ON DEMAND STREAMS

“SONG EVERY COUNTRY FAN NEEDS TO HEAR.” -TASTE OF COUNTRY

103 MILLION TOTAL ON DEMAND STREAMS

acmcountry.com

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I N M E M O RY

George Beasley

Bill Hollingshead

Martin Kahan

1932-2021

1937-2021

1947-2021

George Beasley, founder of

Bill Hollingshead, Knott’s Berry

Martin Kahan, esteemed music

Beasley Media Group and Executive

Farm Director of Entertainment

video and documentary director,

Chairman of their Board, died on

and co-producer of the first

passed away on July 18, 2021, after a

June 2, 2021. He was 89.

nationally televised ACM Awards

Born in 1932, he grew up working the tobacco fields in Arrat, Va.

40

®

show, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021. He was 83.

battle with cancer. He was 74.

Kahan started his career by shooting live promotional videos for

Later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army,

Born and raised in Woodland,

the band Rush. He continued his

graduated from Appalachian State

Calif., Hollingshead had a knack for

work with video by directing rock

University and, in the late 1950s,

entertaining from an early age. He

music videos for Bon Jovi, Scandal

moved to North Carolina to work at a

attended UC Davis and UC Berkley

and Motley Crue. Most notably, Kahan

high school as a principal and coach.

and was drafted into the U.S. Army

directed KISS’s “Lick It Up” in 1983,

In 1961, he built his first ever radio

after graduating from UC Davis. He

the first video to feature the band

station, WPYB-AM in Benson, N.C.,

started at Knott’s Berry Farm in the

without their iconic makeup. He then

paving the way for his career with the

early 1970s and created the Knott’s

transitioned to the Nashville scene,

Beasley Media Group. Over the next

Berry Farm Halloween Haunt in

working with some of Country Music’s

60 years, Beasley worked hard to make

1973, now the longest and largest

biggest stars on music videos in the

Beasley Media Group one of America’s

running Scary Show in the country.

’80s and ’90s. Kahan directed videos

premiere publicly traded media

Hollingshead also managed the

such as Kenny Chesney’s “I Lost It,”

companies, with 62 media properties

summer concert series, booking acts

Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee,”

in 15 large and medium-sized markets.

such as The Everly Brothers, Johnny

John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold

In 2020, Beasley was inducted into the

Cash, Carl Perkins and Pat Boone for

(The Grundy County Auction

Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of

Knott’s. Being a part of these events

Incident),” Ricky Skaggs’ “Honey

Fame and received the Broadcasters

led to the creation of his own music

(Open That Door)” and many others.

Foundation of America Lifetime

production and talent agency, Bill

—CRAIG SHELBURNE

Achievement Award. He is survived by

Hollingshead Productions Inc. He

his wife of 67 years, Ann, five children,

is survived by his wife of 17 years,

16 grandchildren and 12 great-

Sharon, two step-children and one

grandchildren. —CRAIG SHELBURNE

grandson. —CRAIG SHELBURNE

acmcountry.com

Lou Robin

B.J. Thomas

Glenn Douglas Tubb

1930-2021

1942-2021

1935-2021

Lou Robin, who managed the

B.J. Thomas, the versatile

Glenn Douglas Tubb, the

careers of Johnny Cash and June

vocalist who charted three No.

songwriter best known for

Carter Cash for three decades, died

1 country singles, died on May 29,

“Skip a Rope,” died on May 22, 2021.

on May 18, 2021. He was 90.

2021. He was 78.

He was 85.

Born in Chicago, Robin moved to

Born in Oklahoma and raised in

Recorded by Henson Cargill for

Los Angeles as a teenager and entered

Texas, Thomas earned his big break

Monument Records, “Skip a Rope”

the music business as a founder of

by recording Hank Williams’ “I’m So

served as a morality tale about

the concert promotions company

Lonesome I Could Cry,” which became

domestic turmoil, cheating and racism

later known as Artist Consultants

a No. 8 pop hit in 1966. “Hooked on

while set to a nursery rhyme-like

Productions. In 1969, Cash asked

a Feeling” followed in 1968, reaching

melody. Written with Jack Moran,

Robin to book a performance in San

No. 5. His endearing signature hit,

the topical single spent five weeks at

Quentin Prison, which was recorded

“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,”

No. 1 in 1968, crossed over to the pop

for the now-classic album, Johnny

rose to No. 1 in 1970 and received an

chart, and earned Cargill a Grammy

Cash at San Quentin. Four years

Academy Award for Best Original

nomination. Tubb’s other Top 10

later, Robin took over management

Song. His chart-topping Country

writing credits include Johnny Cash’s

and expanded the Johnny Cash

hits include “(Hey Won’t You Play)

“Home of the Blues” (1957), George

Show’s draw across Europe. Robin

Another Somebody Done Somebody

Jones & Tammy Wynette’s “Two Story

introduced Cash to producer Rick

Wrong Song” (1975), “Whatever

House” (1980), Webb Pierce’s “Sweet

Rubin in 1992, ushering in a series

Happened to Old Fashioned Love”

Lips” (1961) and the Wilburn Brothers’

of acclaimed American Recordings

(1983) and “New Looks From an

“Tell Her So (1963). Opry star Ernest

albums. After Johnny and June’s

Old Lover” (1983). Thomas won five

Tubb reached No. 14 with his nephew’s

death in 2003, Robin represented

consecutive Grammys for his gospel

composition “Next Time” in 1959.

their estate as manager of business

recordings. —HANNAH KELLIS

—HANNAH KELLIS

affairs until 2016. —HANNAH KELLIS

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ACM M O M E NT

Country Boys 10th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors™ Ryman Auditorium | August 30, 2016 Country superstars Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith perform onstage during the 10th ACM Honors in tribute to Glenn Campbell receiving the Career Achievement Award.

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